Families of plane crash victims in misery

Families of the US-Bangla plane crash victims are left in miseries as some of them lost their bread earners in the tragedy that cost 51 lives.

Sirajganj’s software engineer Rakibul Hassan Jhantu and his wife Hashi Khatun, a faculty of the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, went to Nepal on a honeymoon trip. But Rakibul met a tragic end of his life with his wife still fighting for life at a Nepal hospital.

Rakibul Hassan Jhantu and his wife Hashi Khatun. Photo: Facebook

Rakibul, son of late schoolteacher Rabiul Karim of Bagutia village in Chouhali upazila in Sirajganj, was very meritorious and was the only earning source of the family.

His elderly mother was living with them in their Dhaka residence while his only sister lives in the USA. The mother is now living alone in the house, said relatives.

One of Rakibul’s cousins, Babu told UNB that Rakibul’s mother got devastated at the news of his her son’s death and has since been crying all the time.

At least 51 people, including 26 Bangladeshis, died as the US-Bangla Airlines aircraft from Dhaka to Kathmandu crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital of the Himalayan country Nepal on Monday.

Another couple went to Nepal to celebrate their seventh marriage anniversary (17th March), but the trip turned into a tragedy as Tahira Tanveen Shashi of Manikganj district was killed in the plane crash with her husband Dr Rezwanul Haque Shaon lying in a hospital bed in critical condition.

An apprentice lawyer Shashi, daughter of Dr Reza Hassan of Dashara area in Manikganj town, got married to Dr Rezwanul Haque Shaon of Goplapur village in Shaturia of the same district. Her husband was working at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said family sources.

Before leaving the airport, Shashi uploaded several group photos on Facebook page and wrote, “Nd here d journey begins,” which became social media viral.

Another victim of the plane crash is SM Mahmudur Rahman Rimon, 30, son of Moshiur Rahman and Lili Begum of Laskardia village in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur. He was working as the head of service of a private company in Dhaka.

SM Mahmudur Rahman Rimon. Photo: Facebook

“On Sunday last I talked to Mahmudur for the last time. He was the only earning source of our family. Every month he used to send us five to six thousand Taka,” his mother told the journalists.

Now they don’t have anyone who will send them money without which they are helpless, she added.

Rimon's uncle SM Jalaluddin said, after the accident, Rimon was admitted to a local hospital but died within one and a half hours’ time.

Nagarakandara Upazila Executive Officer Md Badruddoza Shuvo said, "According to the government's decision, all the facilities will be provided to the families of the deceased.”

“Ma, will call you as soon as reach Nepal”
Another victim of the mysterious plane crash is Alifuzzaman Alif, son of Molla Md Aktaruzzaman of Aichgati village in Khulna’s Rupsha upazila, who just have finished his masters’ examination. He went to Nepal to attend some of his friends who were participating in a trade fair in Kathmandu.

Alifuzzaman Alif. Photo: Facebook

Just before leaving Dhaka, she called her mother over mobile phone and said “I will call you as soon as reach Nepal,” his mother told the journalists with tears on her eyes adding, “But he did not call me and will never call again.”

According to the relatives, Alif posted a status on his Facebook page saying, “Bye by Khulna, Welcome Dhaka 12/03/2018,” along with a photo of his plane ticket which shows Fight Number BS 211, Economy Classic Ticket No 7792402013949.

Alif’s elder brother Hamim told media, “Just after hearing the news, my ailing father became senseless. My mother’s condition is also same. None of them said a single world.”

Faisal, son of Shamsuddin Sarder of Damudya village in Shariatpur district, took five days leave from his office without informing where he was going. But he came out from home to go to Nepal on a pleasure trip.

Baishakhi TV staff reporter Faisal Ahmed. Photo: Courtesy

“My son loves beef bhuna with khichuri. Now whom I will feed these delicacies,” said Faisal’s mother while his father was looking aghast.

His sister Sheuli Akhter, with whom Faisal was living in her Dhaka residence, told this correspondent that Faisal was supposed to go out of Dhaka. “But, none of us knew that he went to Nepal.”